Did you know that when your sewer system is not working in your home, it can affect more than just your plumbing? Sewer leaks can occur at any point in time with or without warning. The first thing that may come to your mind when it comes to sewer leaks is the inconvenience they cause, but certain types of leaks can quickly lead to health risks and damages in your home that you should also take into account.
If you are in bad luck to experience a sewage leak in your home, there are serious threats that make the need for an immediate and effective solution a priority. We will take you through each of these risks and give you recommendations on what you should do to avoid them.
HEALTH RISK
- While the possibility of further damage and repair costs is something to worry about, the health risk caused by severe leaks is an even greater cause for concern. A person’s health is at risk in cases of sewer leaks for the reasons below;
GAS
The most common sewer gas emitted from a sewage leak is hydrogen sulphide. Also known for its signature name, rotten egg smell. A person exposed to this naturally occurring gas in high dosage can experience sickness, disorientation and even death in the worse case. Due to its heavy-than-air characteristics, it can collect in confined spaces such as sewers and manholes. Sewer drains that have dry traps can become a portal for this gas to enter the home, and where leaks are present, this gas can easily escape through it. Relining sewer pipes will best address this problem to make your home sewer-gas proof again.
CHEMICALS
In an attempt to clear a blocked sewer or slow-emptying drain, homeowners usually pour chemicals down the sink or toilet. While this proves effective at clearing minor clogs, they can also become hindrances in the event of a leak. If the drain or sewer pipes are damaged during the process and they start leaking, these chemicals will leak into your homes. Chemical drain cleaners are not just harmful to plumbing but also pose risks to anyone who uses them. The high toxicity in drain cleaners like peroxide and bleach proves fatal if swallowed, inhaled or if they come in contact with the skin.
PATHOGENS
Humans catch diseases from wastewater in many different ways. Pathogens that are present in wastewater may be transmitted by direct contact with sewage or by drinking water or consuming food contaminated with sewage. Contact with contaminant carriers – humans, insects and animals is also another way where pathogens can be transmitted. If you walk in a yard with a failed sewer, there is a potential that transmission might accidentally occur. Pathogenic organisms that exist within us are not harmful, but when they left our bodies and are ingested again, they become a threat to our health. When a sewer has leaks, pathogens have a great chance to enter your homes, where they can easily contaminate food and surfaces. The most common illnesses that a person can get when exposed to pathogens are typhoid and cholera.
INSECT INFESTATION
An insect infestation can also become a concern for those who have broken sewer lines. Cockroaches have a knack for getting through even the tiniest sewer cracks into your home. These crawling insects have many negative consequences for human health because the allergens found in their feces, saliva, and body parts can cause allergic reactions or triggers asthma symptoms. Getting rid of them by pest control may help prevent their threat. However, if you have a compromised sewer line, these bugs will never stop making an appearance in your home. If you suspect these insects are entering your home through cracks in your sewer lines, call the sewer relining contractors to permanently seal off the cracks
PROPERTY DAMAGE
- A compromised sewer line does nothing but creates a terrible mess, cause contaminated water to enter your home and encourage damage to your foundation, your floors, ceilings, walls and personal property.
Foundation damage – Home foundations are those load-bearing structures that hold up your home, typically built below ground; They are often installed above sewers running beneath your home and are always at the risk of damage from even the tiniest leaks. When a sewer that goes through the foundation cracks either due to age, tree roots or environmental conditions, it will likely leak and cause significant damage to your foundations. People often notice signs of foundational problems such as sagging walls, uneven floors, shifting doorframes, windows don’t properly closed, and recurrent plumbing problems. If you notice these signs in your home, a broken and leaking main sewer line may be a contributing factor and you should immediately call a sewer pipe relining specialist.
Indentation in the lawn or under pavers – Another troublesome problem of a broken sewer line is an indentation in your lawn, or under pavers. A cracked sewer line that is consistently soaking the ground may cause the soil to dissipate. It will cause your lawn to develop an indentation or sink above where your sewer runs. If left unaddressed, this problem may escalate into a sinkhole problem in your yard. A sewer pipe relining in Sydney specialist like ourselves can investigate this problem further, remove the pavers and patch or reline sewer pipe sections that are compromised.
What should you do?
With a compromised sewer line, the least you could expect is unstable foundations and health that are at risk. If you don’t want to suffer from these consequences in your home, call Revolution Pipe Relining for a sewer pipe relining cost estimate or to get a free sewer inspection.
